Traill County has state’s first case of anthrax

North Dakota has its first case of anthrax for 2007.
According to the state veterinarian Dr. Susan Keller, a single cow in Traill County had tested positive for the disease. The animal was examined by a local vet who forwarded tissue samples to the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at NDSU. Test results were confirmed the diagnosis July 27.
The Traill County herd of 18 cattle was quarantined and vaccinated.
Keller said that producers should make sure their animals are vaccinated. Vaccines are readily available and effective, usually taking about a week to establish immunity, she noted.
Anthrax usually appears when soil is disturbed during very wet or very dry conditions. The dormant Bacillus anthracis spores in the soil become vegetative. Animals then ingest the spores and are exposed to the disease.
The first case in South Dakota was reported in April and the first Minnesota case was reported in early July.
Last year in North Dakota there were four confirmed cases of anthrax in four counties. Two years ago, more than 500 animals in 16 North Dakota counties died from anthrax in the worst outbreak in state history. Keller said producers stepped up vaccinations after the record outbreak.
Keller urged producers who find dead livestock to consult their veterinarians before disposing of the carcasses.